Chapter Seven

Adriana

The soft glow of the early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle hue across Luca's sleeping face. I lay beside him, propped up on one elbow, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. His features were relaxed, free from the intensity and command they usually held when he was awake. I traced the lines of his face with my eyes, memorizing every detail. In sleep, he looked almost boyish, and the sight tugged at my heart.

Blinking back unshed tears, I wondered if my quest for revenge was truly that important. Would my father forgive me if I broke my promise to him? The question gnawed at my soul, twisting it in knots. I had vowed to avenge his death, to see Carmine Capuzzo pay for what he had done. But as I lay there, cocooned in the warmth of Luca's arms, doubt crept in.

What if I chose a different path? What if I ran away with Luca and left behind the hatred and the vengeance? I could see it clearly in my mind's eye: a life where Luca and I escaped the shadows of our pasts and built something new together. I could imagine a small house by the sea, the two of us laughing and loving each other, free from the chains of our families. It was a beautiful dream, and for a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in it.

But then reality intruded. Luca couldn't just disappear. That's not how his life worked. He was deeply enmeshed in the world of the mafia, a world where leaving wasn't an option. His loyalty to his father and the family was ingrained in him, just as my quest for revenge was ingrained in me. Could I really ask him to abandon everything for me?

And even if he could, what about me? Could I stay here, in this mansion, knowing what I knew? His father didn't know who I was or what I had tried to do. Luca had kept my secret, shielding me from Carmine's wrath. But how long could that last? And could I really live with myself, walking the same halls as Carmine Capuzzo, seeing him breathe and walk around, knowing that he had murdered my father over a debt of a few hundred dollars?

My father had been a repeat offender, a fact I had come to understand. His gambling addiction had cost him dearly, and in the end, it had cost him his life. But that didn't justify his murder in my mind. The thought of Carmine's cold, calculating eyes, the way he had shown no mercy, filled me with rage all over again. I couldn't stomach the idea of staying here, living under the same roof as the man who had taken everything from me.

I was torn between two powerful forces: my desire to stay with Luca, knowing now that I had fallen in love with him, and my unrelenting need to finish my mission. My heart ached with the weight of the decision. Could I choose love over vengeance? Could I turn my back on my father's memory?

I watched Luca as he stirred slightly in his sleep, his brow furrowing for a moment before smoothing out again. My chest tightened with the realization that I couldn't have both. I couldn't stay here with Luca and let Carmine go unpunished. The fire of revenge still burned too brightly within me, and I knew it would consume me if I didn't see it through. There was no way out otherwise.

With a heavy heart, I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Luca's lips. He stirred again, his eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before closing once more. I allowed myself one last look at his peaceful face, committing it to memory, and wiped away the tear escaping down my cheek.

Quietly, I slipped out of bed and pulled on the pair of oversized sweats I’d worn yesterday. As I dressed, my eyes fell on Luca's discarded clothes. I reached into his jacket and found his gun, cold and heavy in my hand. Forgive me, I thought, slipping it beneath the waistband of my pants.

I continued to move around the room, gathering my things, careful not to make a sound. Finally, I found a piece of paper and a pen on the desk and sat down to write Luca a note. My hand trembled as I wrote, the words blurring together through my tears.

Luca,

I'm so sorry for leaving like this, but I have to finish what I started. Thank you for giving me the most beautiful night of my life. You made me believe in love again, even if only for a moment. I'll never forget you.

Adriana

Folding the note, I placed it on the pillow on which I’d slept, where he would see it when he woke up. With a final glance at his sleeping form, I snuck out of the room and made my way through the silent mansion.

The corridors were dimly lit, and the air was cool against my skin. As I walked, my footsteps echoed softly, each step taking me further away from the dream I had dared to entertain, and closer to the harsh reality I had to face. The weight of my decision pressed down on me, but I knew it was the only choice I could make.

Instead of heading for the front door and risking tripping the alarm system, I made my way to one of the side windows. I carefully unlatched it and climbed out, my feet landing softly on the dewy grass outside. The cool morning air filled my lungs as I took a moment to steady myself.

With a deep breath, I started walking, each step taking me further away from the man I loved and closer to the one I hated.

As I walked, the memories of the night played through my mind. The way Luca had looked at me, the feel of his arms around me, the passion we had shared. It was a night that would stay with me in the hours I had left, a reminder of what could have been. But now, it was time to let go and face what lay ahead. I had chosen my path, aware that it would lead to my death, but there was no other option. How could my father ever forgive me for falling in love with the son of the man who had murdered him?

The streets were quiet, and the city seemed almost peaceful in the early morning light. I knew where I needed to go, the place where it had all started. I made my way to the small apartment building where my father and I had lived, the place where he had been taken from me so cruelly.

As I approached the rundown red brick building, I paused on the sidewalk, looking up at the windows that had once framed my world. Memories flooded back: my mother laughing as she cooked dinner, my father spinning me around in the living room, the three of us huddled together on the couch watching movies. It was a time of happiness before everything had fallen apart.

I stood there for a moment, letting the memories wash over me, grounding myself in the warmth of the family cocoon we had shared. It gave me strength, reminding me of why I had to see this through. My father deserved justice, and I was the only one who could deliver it.

With my resolve strengthened, I turned away from the apartment building and back into the heart of the city. The streets were beginning to fill with people, the hustle and bustle of daily life resuming. But I moved through the crowds with a singular focus, my mind set on my goal, the steel of the pistol cold against the skin of my back.

I knew where I needed to go, the place where I could gather information about the whereabouts of my target. The place where I’d met Luca, accidentally taking him for his father. The Velvet Room. It was a risky move, but I had no other choice.

As I approached the block where the club was located, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. It was still early, so the place would be closed, and the entrances locked. But I knew the passcode for the back door used only by employees. Hoping that Ignacio hadn’t remembered to change it, I darted into the empty alleyway that ran behind the building and jogged up the block, weaving my way past the dumpsters. The stench of alcohol and human waste filled my nostrils, and I held my breath while I quickly punched in the code on the small panel by the door. Hearing the click of the lock unlatching, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, my heart pounding in my chest. I paused to take a few deep breaths, listening intently for the sound of any human activity. Hearing none, I crept slowly through the building toward Ignacio’s office, my steps deliberate and measured

When I reached it, I paused for a moment, my hand resting on the doorknob. I took a deep breath, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. Would I find something inside – a file, a receipt, anything – that would lead me to Carmine Capuzzo? It was a chance I was willing to take.

Just as I was about to push the door open, rough hands grabbed me from behind. I struggled, but the grip was too strong. Panic surged through me as I felt a crushing blow to the back of my head. Pain exploded in my skull like a bolt of lightning, and the world around me went dark.